A tribute to all the respected and distinguished teachers of St. Joseph’s College
View(s):St. Joseph’s College in Colombo 10, was founded on March 2, 1896 by French missionaries led by Rev.Fr.Christophe-Etienne Bonjean.
I am delighted in penning down my tribute to all our respected and distinguished teachers, past and present, who have worked laboriously to produce multi-talented Josephians and make our college a leading school.
Dear teachers,“thank you” seems too short a word to express our gratitude to you whohave taught us.We are unusually indebted to all our parents, rectors and teachers whohave inspired, guided and moulded us. Much of our accomplishments have come from our association with you. You have provided constant enthusiastic encouragement and advice besides enhancing our knowledge.
You are the amazing teachers and you only deserve the best. You are our sunshine and you have brightened our whole lives, and you have enabled us to travel through life.
You have acted as “sign posts “and showed us the exact directions for our lives. You have cut and polished rough diamonds and made us to shine like sparkling diamonds. You have been “ladders” and have helped Josephians reach the pinnacle of success in their chosen pathways.
You have been acted as well equipped “ships” and have taken us to ashore. But you never continue with us in search of prosperity, you got back to continue to send thousands of students ashore.
You have been a “light house” and helped us in our journey of life. You have been shining like “lamps” and expelled the darkness (ignorance) from us and provided knowledge and skills, and inculcated good attitudes in us. You have been “bridges” and helped us to cross over to the greener pastures of life.
We admire your dedication, discipline and determination given to your work in instilling good values in us. Your work with painstaking precision has produced a galaxy of multi-talented Josephians who are great assets to this world. You have encouraged students to reach new heights for educational, sports and spiritual glory. You have made efficient and effective thereby producing productive citizens for the nation.
You have made your students dynamic, exemplary and visionary leaders. You have taught us to have vision, goals, objectives and values in our lives. Your knowledge, competency, mastery and wisdom are astonishing and we were blessed to acquire those skills and values to our benefits and the benefit of our Motherland. You are our pillars of success. You were able to create history and brought glory to the noblest profession and our hallowed educational institution. You are the “renowned educators” who have “transformed our lives.”
You are our “great heroes” and we salute you for your untiring and relentless endeavours which resulted in developing us as the “ideal Josephians.”
What we have learnt from you has given us guidance and strength for so long and will guide us throughout our lives. Words are insufficient to show our appreciations for your kindness, patience, commitment and devotion to teachings.
The services that you have rendered will be remembered by us forever. It’s divine grace that we were blessed to have teachers in your calibre at our Alma Mater. We are deeply thankful to your good selves. Our gratitude will be lifelong.
We your students are humbled, honoured and privileged to have your good selves as our treasured teachers.
On Wewish your good selves success, joy, serenity, tranquillity peace and good health now and throughout your lives.
“May Almighty God bless your good selves, families and noblest work forever.”
Maruthai Ravindhran
(The writer was the Former Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of the Blue & White Newsletter Committee(1999 – 2000), a former member of the Association of “Josephian Blues”, An Editorial Board Member of the Blue &White Centenary and Millennium Magazine Committee of the Old Boys’ Union, St. Joseph’s College in Colombo 10 and the Founder President of Josephian Group of 88’).